How do I know if my house has box gutters?
Whether you live in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, the changing leaves in the fall here in our region is something to get excited about. The season is changing, the year is winding down, and the summer projects are coming to an end.
Those red and yellow leaves go somewhere when they fall, and if your luck is anything like the Reds and Bengals, they’ll end up on your roof, and in your outdated gutters! Clogged gutters are a pain to clean every year, and if not maintained can ruin the integrity of your home’s roof. Water backs up, overflows, and collects in areas of your home’s roof causing damage to the structure underneath. Left unattended, the cost to replace and repair your roof can be far more expensive than cleaning and maintaining!
That being said, should you be concerned as a homeowner as we head into fall? Are your current gutters up to par and ready to handle the impending foliage?
The answer to that question is inspecting and maintaining your current system or upgrading to an effective box gutter system to deal with the coming change in seasons and long term health of your home. Fusion Roofing and Restoration is Cincinnati’s expert box gutter professionals. With decades of experience in inspecting, maintaining, and upgrading box gutters all over the tristate, you can trust Fusion to do a great job right the first time!
So, just what are box gutters and what are the benefits? How do you know if box gutters are the right choice for your home? How do I get an inspection to find out?
Box gutters differ from normal gutters in their rectangular look and how they’re mounted onto your structure. They are joined to the roof with brackets and joints and instead of being bracketed to the outside of the structure, are more concealed by being boxed in by the roof and walls. This results in a beautiful, streamlined look and feel that most homeowners prefer! A staple in older homes, this updated version of a box gutter will last longer, work more efficiently at moving water off your roof, and keep your gutters clean of debris and falling leaves. Upgrading the look and functionality of your home’s gutter system will not only improve the curb appeal of your property, it will ensure worry free maintenance for years to come.
Fusion Roofing and Restoration is the area’s leader in box gutter installation. Our knowledgeable and experienced installers are the best gutter contractors you can contact for installations and inspections! We know how well box gutters can improve the water management system of the roof to your house – and we understand just how important it is to have an expert inspect and install high quality gutters. We guarantee our work and use only the best materials and brands when updating your gutters to box gutters. Fusion has been providing excellent roofing and gutter installations for homes all across Cincinnati for years – Contact us today for a free inspection! See how box gutters on your home can increase curb appeal and provide longevity to your home’s roof!
Five Phrases to Decide if Your Gutters Need Inspection
Problems due to gutters not doing their job are something we don’t want you to have to think about, because when they come along, that’s all you’ll be thinking about. Awareness of the signs of early gutter problems is key to avoiding bigger and more complicated problems.
Here are 5 simple ways to remember signs that your gutters need professional inspection:
“If the water is showing, then it ain’t properly flowing!”
Seeing visible water due to overflowing gutters or damage to the flow path is an easily recognizable sign that inspection is needed. While this may seem like something not worth addressing, taking care of initial blockages is crucial to avoiding larger problems that can begin sooner than you may think. Calling a professional is the safest way to handle these smaller issues while ensuring no other issues are present.
“A Downspout that Dumps is a Downspout in Need”
The amount of water that flows through your gutters during a rainstorm is often enough to fill 10 bathtubs. That’s a lot of water, and if your downspouts are not properly equipped to move water away from the house (minimum of 5 feet), the increased pressure on the foundation walls due to concentrated runoff can mean costly repairs. Proper downspout flow direction is something every homeowner needs to consider.
“If Walls are Flaking, then problems it’s Making”
Always first consider the cause of flaking basement walls to be water-related. Flaking is a telltale sign of an improper drainage problem, and one that can be solved through examination of roof and gutter drainage systems. If water seeps too far into the masonry of a foundation (greater than ½”), structural issues can arise. Avoid any further damage by paying attention to early warning signs of this flaking, called “spalling.”
“If You See the Crust, Inspection’s A Must”
Areas of white or gray crust on basement walls are a common sign of “efflorescence,” which are mineral deposits left behind by evaporating water. While this is not as serious as flaking, it is almost always a sign of improper drainage. Essentially, this is the end result of moisture evaporating where water has continually collected around the foundational wall. While not an immediate concern to structural integrity, if left unaddressed it can lead to spalling.
“If the mulch is flowing, the problems are showing”
Yard mulch that shows evidence of water pooling, flooding or forming into channels that carry it into grass or onto concrete is a good sign that drainage is an issue. This is caused by an ineffective gutter and downspout setup that could result in foundational or other issues with walkways and patios. Continual repairs to landscaping and refilling of mulched areas could mean an underlying issue with roof and drainage systems.
Contact the professionals at Fusion Roofing if you need any assistance identifying potential problems or to schedule a free consultation and estimate.
Box Gutter Replacement
Fusion received a call to take a look at water stains on the ceiling and walls of a home in Hyde Park. The estimator discovered that the box gutters at the home were lined with rubber and failing in many areas. A solution was put together for the replacement of the box gutter liners with Copper, in order to provide a permanent fix.
Failing Box Gutter
This box gutter in Northern Kentucky was in a stage of complete failure, so our team removed it down to the wood framing, rebuilt it entirely, and installed a new galvanized liner.
